Question

an early sign of tetanus is ______.

multiple choice

muscle spasm in the jaw and neck
fever
drooling
diarrhea
sweating

Explanation:

Identify the core pathology of tetanus

Tetanus is a serious neurological disease caused by the toxin-producing bacterium Clostridium tetani. The toxin blocks inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, leading to sustained, painful muscle contractions.

Analyze early clinical manifestations

The hallmark early symptom of tetanus is stiffness and spasms of the masseter muscles in the jaw, a condition commonly referred to as "lockjaw" (trismus). This stiffness quickly progresses to involve the neck muscles, making swallowing difficult.

Evaluate the given options

• muscle spasm in the jaw and neck: This directly describes trismus (lockjaw) and neck stiffness, which are classic, defining early signs of tetanus.
• fever: While fever can occur as a systemic response, it is not the primary diagnostic or characteristic early sign of tetanus.
• drooling: This can occur later due to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), but is not the primary early sign.
• diarrhea: This is not a typical symptom of tetanus infection.
• sweating: Autonomic nervous system instability (including sweating) occurs in later stages of severe tetanus, not as the primary early sign.

Answer:

• muscle spasm in the jaw and neck (Correct answer)
• fever
• drooling
• diarrhea
• sweating